Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Valdez.
Hi Jay, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In 2010 entered the medical field as an EMT-Basic and after the 10 years in the medical field, I left become a Stand-UP Comedian. I had wanted to be a comic since I was younger, but always felt it was this “unattainable” goal. In High-School, I believed it was a good idea to try comedy for a Talent Show to an auditorium full of, TEEN-agers. I bombed, even boo’ed, but after 2020, I felt this sudden urge/pull almost to try again. “What’s the worst that can happen?” I could fail.“So what!” I still needed to build the courage/validation to even try to do Stand-Up. In 2021 I created a TikTok page; challenged myself to create skits, and characters: to generate a following through comedy. If I can get near or over 10k followers, I would try to Stand-Up again. In January 2022, I started attending the Open Mic Draw for LOL San Antonio; I showed everyTuesday for a whole month before my name was drawn, to attempt to perform a 4 min set of stand-up comedy for a 20-person crowd. I bombed again and again, but I kept showing up. I was hooked, and started attending other open mics throughout the greater San Antonio area, even all over South Texas. Since my career started, I have appeared on the “Kill Tony Podcast” and started a Production Company with fellow comedian known as DEVON “Unsupervised productions.”
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m bummed to know I may have burned a few bridges and sacrificed personal relationships, because I cannot stop to “smell the flowers”. Time Management is a constant challenge I face, I may miss parties, family events even holidays. I have a hard time saying NO, and only recently learned how to say it. Its ok to be a little stingy with your time if its for something constructive, but be sure to “pen” in those special moments. Nothing has been smooth in retrospect, but I enjoy the bumpiness of life I may not always respond accordingly, but “ I’m happy to be here.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Traveling Comedian. I perform in hopes to have the audience forget their worries for a split second or an hour. In my opinion people go to a comedy show to be entertained, not to be offended , and maybe leave with a provocative thought to be shared amongst family and friends. I’m an animated and physical person, which is a promise I’ll work my butt off to make sure everyone is having a good time. I started the year believing I would only have 52 chances in the year to improve my act/comedy. I have already doubled that number, and the year is yet to be over. Every day I work to be better than the day before. No show is ever the same, but Everyone has a GOOD-time.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The cultures throughout San Antonio. There is so much good food available to you and events every weekend. There is never a dull moment. The TRAFFIC! Just finish the roads, please.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.valdez.comedy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juan.valdez.1829
Image Credits
Images Taken by Emily
